GRAN CANARIA · CANARY ISLANDS
The tours and day trips worth booking.
The 15 top-rated things to do in Gran Canaria — the boat trips, beach days, volcano hikes and old-town wanders worth building a day around, with real prices and who to book each one with.
Cruise off Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria for dolphin and whale watching, then cool off at Taurito with snorkeling and a swim slide.
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Poema del Mar skip-the-line ticket in Gran Canaria: 35 ecosystems, the curved window, Deep Sea, El Veril, and a 400,000L cylinder tank.
A 40-minute Golden Shark submarine tour in Puerto de Mogán, down to 25 metres, passing shipwrecks with a 9-language audio guide.
30-minute camel ride through Maspalomas sand dunes on a comfy 2-seater saddle with Sahawari guides. Insurance included from $21.
“Loved going to see the dunes. could have stopped for photos but overall excellent.”
Visit Banana World in Gran Canaria for a guided banana-farm tour in an 1804 restored house, with tastings and banana-based products.
“Guide was nice, visitor center was new and informative but FAR too many people per guide. Had to be at least 40+ people for one guide, making it nearly impossible to see what she was explaining or hear her correctly. They need to cut group sizes in half, too expensive to have this big of…”
Guided banana farm tour at Hacienda La ReKompensa with views, 13 banana types, and tastings of jams, wines, and more in 40 minutes.
2.5-hour dolphin cruise off Gran Canaria on Spirit of the Sea: glass-bottom views, expert ID, and a free return voucher if none.
2.5-hour dolphin and whale cruise from Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria. Close sightings, live guide, photo stops, and an on-board bar.
“It was choppy so given option of boarding before hand and told we may not see dolphins/whales do to weather. Enjoyed somewhat choppy seas and given ticket for a free trip as no dolphin/whales. Definitely recommend 😀”
Guided 2-hour buggy tour through Gran Canaria’s south, from Ayagaures Valley to Fataga views. Safety-first fun from Maspalomas.
“Unreal experience, all 3 guides were so good, they wanted everybody to have fun but were also very safe during it, experience was great would 100% reccomend for anybody.”
A full 8-hour guided bus tour across Gran Canaria’s north, with free time in Arucas and Firgas, canyon panoramas, Tejeda views, and aloe.
Ride gentle horses through Gran Canaria’s volcanic hills for 1–2 hours, with optional hotel transfers and big views of Maspalomas dunes.
“Excellent day, the trainers are so confident and reassuring. They know the horse’s behaviours so well. Felicia was a bit naughty when she was in the school but they knew when she was out on the path she was fine which she absolutely was, Luther was my horse and he was beautiful. Very loving from…”
Palmitos Park near Maspalomas pairs dolphin and birds-of-prey shows with exotic animals and gardens, plus big mountain views for a full day.
Thrilling, family-friendly water park in Maspalomas with 40+ slides, a kid zone, and optional sea lion encounters. Practical tips included.
Cocodrilo Park Zoo in Agüimes, Gran Canaria. $11 entry to see rescued animals, Europe’s biggest alligator exhibit, and feeding shows.
Off-road jeep tour of South Gran Canaria: Roque Noblo views, Lake Chira, Tirajana coffee stop, and the Valley of Thousand Palms.
Every archipelago, and the best of each island in it.
